A spectacular long-range goal from Francisco Navas Cobo earned the Houston Dynamo a 1-1 tie with FC Dallas Saturday night in the final of the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, although Dallas went on to a 5-3 win in the shootout to take the tournament title. Second-half substitute Chris Seitz saved Houston’s opening penalty kick from Lovel Palmer, and Brek Shea netted the fifth and decisive kick for FC Dallas.
Academy products Ruben Luna (FC Dallas) and Navas Cobo (Houston Dynamo) exchanged goals during regulation, with the Houston youngster netting the late equalizer in dramatic fashion, finding the top left corner with a stunning shot from just outside the penalty area in the 89th minute.
The lone Dallas goal came in the 15th minute as Luna, a Mexico Under-20 national team forward, found the back of the net for coach Schellas Hyndman’s group. Right winger Marvin Chavez measured his cross into the box, and Luna barely had to move from his position near the penalty spot, lofting the ball over Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall and into the right side netting.
Just three minutes after scoring, Luna again proved a menace in the box, touching an Andrew Jacobson header onto the crossbar.
However, Luna’s shots were the only real opportunities of the first half for FC Dallas, while the Dynamo attacked frequently at full speed and with numbers. Head coach Dominic Kinnear’s men also continued to be dangerous on set pieces with central defender Jermaine Taylor featuring prominently on two occasions, including striking the left post in the 41st minute.
FC Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman had another solid outing in Orlando, coming up with opportune saves on Geoff Cameron in the 29th minute and on a Cam Weaver close range header two minutes before the break.
There was more for Hartman to do in the second half as he foiled Cameron again on a shot from inside the box in the 56th minute. The FCD netminder didn’t have a chance on Palmer’s bicycle kick a little more than 10 minutes later, but it bounced wide of the right post.
Chavez, one of the top performers for FC Dallas on the night, had the best look at goal for his team in the second half, hitting the side netting in the 59th minute after forward Maykel Galindo did well to intercept a ball in Houston’s half.
Two days after Shea starred for 45 minutes at center back against Orlando City, the regular left winger was again given a full 90-minute spell in the back while Zach Loyd sat out the match with a quadriceps strain. Also missing the match was Houston's Brian Ching, who is nursing a right hamstring strain.
The two teams - which combined for five yellow cards in the second half - will resume their rivalry in league play in May and September.
FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo
February 26, 2011 -- ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Orlando FL
Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic -- Final
Scoring Summary:
FCD -- Ruben Luna (Marvin Chavez) 15
HOU -- Francisco Navas Cobo (unassisted) 89
Penalty-Kick Shootout:
FCD -- David Ferreira (Goal)
HOU -- Lovel Palmer (Saved)
FCD -- Maykel Galindo (Goal)
HOU -- Brad Davis (Goal)
FCD -- Eric Avila (Goal)
HOU -- Josue Soto (Goal)
FCD -- Bruno Guarda (Goal)
HOU -- Will Bruin (Goal)
FCD -- Brek Shea (Goal)
FC Dallas -- Kevin Hartman (Chris Seitz 62), Jackson, Brek Shea, Scott Gordon, Jair Benitez (Moises Hernandez 46), Marvin Chavez (Charlie Campbell 78), Daniel Hernandez (Bruno Guarda 78), Andrew Jacobson (Bobby Warshaw 73), David Ferreira, Eric Alexander (Eric Avila 71), Ruben Luna (Maykel Galindo 46).
Houston Dynamo -- Tally Hall (Tyler Deric 60), Hunter Freeman (Kofi Sarkodie 46), Bobby Boswell (Eddie Robinson 46), Jermaine Taylor (Andrew Hainault 46), Mike Chabala (Jordan Graye 60), Danny Cruz (Francisco Navas Cobo 60), Richard Edwards (Josue Soto 70), Geoff Cameron (Lovel Palmer 59), Corey Ashe (Brad Davis 46), Cam Weaver (Will Bruin 60), Jason Garey (Alex Dixon 70).
Misconduct Summary:
HOU -- Andrew Hainault (caution) 63
FCD -- Brek Shea (caution) 71
FCD -- Daniel Hernandez (caution) 74
FCD -- Jackson (caution) 75
HOU -- Francisco Navas Cobo (caution) 83
gameSumLabel">Referee: Edvin Jurisevic
gameSumLabel">Referee's Assistants: Craig Lowry; James Conlee
gameSumLabel">4th Official: Ted Unkel
gameSumLabel">Attendance: 1,634
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial
